College West - San Diego, CA

In 1931, State Teachers College, now San Diego State University, relocated to the El Cajon Boulevard commercial district from its former location on Normal Street. After World War II, the desire for suburban living in San Diego increased, and with the completion of Interstate 8 in the late 1950s, the community and University began to grow.

Stop by the local Pacific Southwest Railway Museum with the kids, which features educational train rides for the public, operation of a demonstration railroad, a public research library and railroad history educational facilities.

Balboa Park sits less than 10 miles southwest and features 17 museums, including the San Diego Natural History Museum, Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, and San Diego Air and Space Museum. Balboa Park also has a tremendous arts scene and a multitude of annual events, including the Ethnic Food Fair, where the public can taste food from virtually any country around the world.

Expect to find plenty of fast food restaurants on and off the SDSU campus and along the corner of College Avenue and Montezuma Road. For a more eclectic group of restaurants, head to El Cajon Boulevard where you can find an array of restaurants, grocery stores and cafes.

When craving affordable and authentic Mexican food, head to Trujillo's Taco Shop for mouth-watering burritos and beer at this popular midnight hangout. For lunch, try Buddies Burgers for thick customizable hamburgers, hot dogs, sandwiches and shakes. And after your workout at The Aztec Recreation Center, be sure to grab a protein-rich smoothie at Shake Smart.

El Cajon Boulevard and University Avenue are your ticket to the College Area nightlife. Satin Lounge proves to be one of the only 18 and over nightclubs in the area, while the snug hangout Til Two Club features a calendar of live bands, stand-up comedy, karaoke, beer and a unique selection of cocktails.

The most common ways to get around the neighborhood prove to be by car, trolley, bus and through Uber. Accessing highways remains a breeze, as the neighborhood rests directly south of Interstate 8, giving residents quick access to most other highways in San Diego. The two public transportation options, the bus and trolley systems, stem from SDSU. Because College West remains very spread out with hills, residents usually don't take up walking as a viable method of transportation, rather they prefer to take advantage of the fantastic exercise opportunity it presents.

This neighborhood has always been a safe place to go for an afternoon walk or to go for a bike ride on a sunny afternoon, and luckily for residents, bike lanes run throughout the city. In terms of parking, residents have permits and visitor passes to park in their neighborhood; free public parking, on the other hand, gets easier the farther away from the college you get.

College West's local park, Scripps Park, lays in the heart of SDSU for students and visitors who want to barbecue next to a koi pond. Montezuma Park, just west of the neighborhood, features a small green space with beautiful overhanging trees and picnic tables, while Clay Park in Rolando caters to kids with an awesome playground and huge grassy area for pick-up sports games.

Lake Murray Park, a massive nature reserve sits just north of interstate 4.5 miles east of College West. Small boat rentals remain available for the popular fishing destination, many picnic areas sit all around, and a walking and biking path lines the perimeter of the reservoir where local parents often bring their children to feed the ducks.

The neighborhood boats seasonal events, such as the Fourth of July Food and Music Festival, at the Lake Murray Community Park. All residents and visitors are invited, free of charge, and can enjoy a picnic-type setting with on-going music, tasty food, non-alcohol beverages and, of course, a fireworks show over Lake Murray.

The cost of living in College West rests just below the city average; the median rent for a one-bedroom residence runs around $1,145. For a pint of beer in the area, you can expect to pay around $5.50 due to the wide variety of happy hours in the area. Gas, on the other hand, stands 14.4 percent above the national average.

Three major shopping areas located within a 10-minute drive of College West: Westfield Mission Valley, Fashion Valley, and Grossmont Center. Westfield Mission Valley houses a Nordstrom Rack, a number of high-value chain stores, and a movie theatre. Fashion Valley Mall features high-end stores such Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, and Bloomingdales plus a host of dining options. Grossmont Center in East County is a fairly large shopping complex with department stores, chain retailers, casual eateries and a movie theater.

Located along University Avenue in North Park, Hunt & Gather carries tons of vintage merchandise for those who love items from yesteryear. From cool 70's sunglasses to whimsical Christmas sweaters from the 80's, this spot can dress you in retro from head to toe. Shop here for costumes or just duds that match your personal style.

To pick up edgy fashions and obscure merchandise, artsy locals head to Junc Life on Fern Street in South Park. Urban and modern, this store sells things of interest to both men and women, and the clothing is high-quality. The friendly owner can help you pick out the perfect outfit or gift. For groceries, residents generally depend on Ralphs on Montezuma Road. alternatively, a Von's and Smart & Final sit on El Cajon Boulevard. You can also visit the farmers market every Wednesday on College Avenue, less than a mile away.